Safari Rally: Baryan takes overnight lead

Manvir Baryan navigated by Drew Sturrock took an overnight lead after the second day of the 2019 Safari Rally in Naivasha on July 6, 2019. [Courtesy]

After a slow start on the opening day, Manvir Baryan got back his groove as the 67th Safari Rally entered its second and penultimate day at Lake Naivasha’s Sopa Lodge.

The reigning African champion took over the lead after claiming three out of the day’s six competitive stages.

Three stages at Soysambu, Elementaita and Sleeping Warrior were repeated twice to make up for a competitive mileage of 140.50km.

Navigated by Briton Drew Sturrock in a Skoda Fabia R5, Manvir holds a 10.5 second lead going into the last day today.

“We had a puncture about 2kms before the end of the last stage. We just drove to the end on three wheels.

“It has been good so far. I am wishing I can win the Safari Rally, which is the only event in the African continent that I have not won.

“This year I have won the Ivory Coast and Zambia events,’’ Baryan said.

Baldev Chager was the leader after the first loop but lost it to a hard-charging Baryan who has won two out of the last three rounds of the ARC series in his Skoda Fabia, has five more stages today to try and clinch victory of the World Rally Championship Contender. He has won the ARC title for the last two seasons.

The BMW of Kirit Rajpit and John Llyod’s Ford Escort were forced to abandon the competition towards the end of the day though both cars are expected to be in the competition for the final day.

The rule allows such drives to return to the competition with certain penalty.

Kirit’s car suffered an overheating problem.